Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5A for reducing skeletal muscle fatigue, edema, and damage in a patient having muscle fatigue due to increased age or exercise

Abstract

Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or preventing muscle diseases or the symptoms thereof. The compositions typically include and the methods typically utilize phosphodiesterase type 5A inhibitors.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for reducing skeletal muscle fatigue in a patient having muscle fatigue due to increased age, the method consisting of administering to the patient an effective amount of sildenafil or a pharmaceutical salt thereof. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the muscle fatigue due to increased age is characterized by increased PDE5A activity in skeletal muscle of the patient having muscle fatigue due to increased age in comparison to a patient not having the muscle fatigue. 
     
     
       3. A method for reducing skeletal muscle edema after exercise in a patient having muscle fatigue due to increased age, the method consisting of administering to the patient an effective amount of sildenafil or a pharmaceutical salt thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the muscle fatigue is characterized by increased PDE5A activity in skeletal muscle of the patient having the muscle fatigue due to increased age in comparison to a patient not having the muscle fatigue. 
     
     
       5. A method for reducing skeletal muscle damage after exercise in a patient having muscle fatigue due to increased age, the method consisting of administering to the patient an effective amount of sildenafil or a pharmaceutical salt thereof. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the muscle fatigue is characterized by increased PDE5A activity in skeletal muscle of the patient having the muscle fatigue due to increased age in comparison to a patient not having the muscle fatigue.